As the mayoral race in New York City heats up, a political action committee (PAC) supporting Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is encouraging New Yorkers to leave if they’re worried about NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist. Mamdani won the Democratic nomination for mayor in the city’s June primary races.
Bold billboard sparks debate
VPAC: Victors, Not Victims paid for the new billboard, placed in Times Square, which encourages New Yorkers to “flee Zohran Mamdani” and move to Ohio, according to the New York Post.
“Worried about Zohran? Ohio is waiting for you!” the ad states, with photos of Ramaswamy and Mamdani side-by-side.
The $50,000 display promotes Ramaswamy, 39, as a conservative alternative to Mamdani’s Democratic Socialism, 33, showcasing their opposing political views. Both men are of Indian descent.
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Framing the candidates
The new political ad takes aim at the upcoming elections, branding Mamdani as a “radical socialist,” and insinuates his policies will threaten public safety and economic stability. In sharp contrast, the ad hails the Ohio gubernatorial candidate as “protecting freedom.”
The billboard is set to stay up in Times Square for the rest of the week, the Post reports.
“Capitalism defeats socialism. There’s a better way: Move to Ohio,” Ramaswamy wrote in a post on X.
Ramaswamy’s background and campaign
Ramaswamy, originally from the Cincinnati area, is running as a Republican candidate for governor of Ohio. The current governor, Mike DeWine, can’t run again because of term limits.
A one-time candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Ramaswamy ultimately ended his campaign, endorsing President Donald Trump.
Mamdani has not yet publicly commented on the Times Square ad. The New York City mayoral race is set to take place Nov. 4, 2025.
